Indian students choose Canada for safety, inclusion and cultural diversity, CBIE survey finds; 83% prefer the country
The survey, conducted by the Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE) in autumn 2025, collected responses from 21,918 international students across 84 universities, colleges and polytechnic institutes in Canada’s 10 provinces. Overall, 83% of respondents said Canada was their preferred destination for higher education. Across the respondents, 49% said programme offerings affected their choice of institution. Reputation or ranking was cited by 42%, while 41% considered location. Work-integrated learning opportunities influenced 32% of students, and 29% said recommendations from family or friends played a role. Among undergraduate and college students, location and employability were equally important, with 45% citing each. Graduate students placed greater emphasis on professor expertise, cited by 50%, followed by institutional reputation at 42%. Eighty per cent of respondents said they viewed the country as inclusive and welcoming, while 78% said their study experience had met their expectations. Thirty-nine per cent of rural respondents said such recommendations affected their institution choice, compared with 24% of students from urban areas. Programme offerings were cited by 49% of respondents, followed by institutional reputation or ranking at 42% and location at 41%. Work-integrated learning opportunities were mentioned by 32%, while 29% said recommendations from family or friends influenced their decision. Among undergraduate and college students, 45% each cited location and employability. The survey was conducted in autumn 2025 and collected responses from 21,918 international students across 84 universities, colleges and polytechnic institutes in 10 provinces.
The findings reflect the responses and experiences reported by students who took part in the survey.
NEW DELHI: Safety, inclusion and cultural diversity are among the key factors influencing Indian students when choosing Canada for higher education, according to findings from a recent international student survey. Sabrina Heinekey, Director of Global Campaign Initiative, said, “What stands out in the data is not just Canada’s popularity, but the consistency of what draws students here, quality education, meaningful career pathways, and a welcoming society. The data also shows that students from different countries prioritise different aspects of an overseas education, ranging from employment opportunities and immigration pathways to research prospects. For Indian students, safety, inclusion and cultural diversity emerged as the leading factors behind their choice of Canada. The same combination was identified as the top consideration among students from Iran. The priorities differed considerably across other major student groups. Students from China identified immigration pathways as their leading factor, while employment opportunities were the top consideration for respondents from Nigeria and the Philippines. Students from France, meanwhile, placed research opportunities at the top of their list. The findings indicate that students’ decisions about studying abroad extend beyond academic considerations, with the social environment and prospects associated with a destination also playing a role. Once students decide on a country, the factors influencing their choice of institution vary as well. The importance of these factors also differed by level of study. The survey also asked students about their experience after arriving in Canada. Family and peer recommendations had a particularly strong influence among students from rural communities. Regional preferences also varied. British Columbia stood out for its natural environment, while Ontario and Quebec were associated with research opportunities. Affordability was a more prominent consideration for students looking at the Prairies and Atlantic provinces. Employment prospects also featured among the factors considered by international students, although the priority varied across countries. Students from Nigeria and the Philippines ranked employment opportunities highest, while immigration pathways were the top consideration for students from China. For students from France, research opportunities ranked first. The survey also found differences in what students looked for when choosing an institution. The importance of these factors also varied by level of study. Get the latest Education News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.